The Summary of Physics Restored

1GREETINGS TO STUDENTS OF THE LIGHT OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

1.2Recently, students of Nature’s secrets, I withdrew of my own accord from public responsibilities and the stormy shoals of the court, and took refuge in the peaceful shallows of domestic tranquillity. The poet’s words often came to my rejoicing mind: Indeed, I have now set myself free and escaped my chains. I felt my old reflection upon the things of Nature returning—the reflection that had once grown up with me from my earliest years. I gladly offered myself to it as it approached at this timely moment, so that Nature might repay the splendour of Fortune, which I had freely renounced, with a present gift of her own light, and also so that I might clear myself of a public charge. For it seemed that the laws of my country and the duties of public office already had an accusation prepared against me as a deserter. To prevent them from condemning me by their votes as one proscribed on that charge, I fled to the sacred protection of the hidden laws of the Universe, which deserves the name of our common homeland, so that this protection might preserve my innocence from slander. For shame will prevent political laws from passing a harsh sentence upon a man who has put the anxieties of civic affairs behind him and devoted himself to the study and service of the commonwealth of the world.